ABOUT

JCHC offers many surgical procedures. Our board certified General Surgeon, Dr. Ruby, sees patients in the Family Medical Center on Mondays, and performs surgery from Tuesday - Friday in the Surgical Suite at JCHC.

JCHC employs a dedicated surgical staff, board certified anesthetists and brings in surgeons from the Northwestern Wyoming region to expand the surgical options for people receiving care at JCHC. Our experienced and caring surgical department is dedicated to making your surgical experience a safe and pleasant one.

The Surgical Care Suite at JCHC includes:

2 operating suites

Surgical Staff that are solely dedicated to taking care of surgical patients, before, during and after procedures

Anesthesia personnel trained in pediatric and adult anesthesia

Access to Hospital care in the same building

Access to 11 Physician Clinic in the same building

Access to x-Ray, Lab, Physical Therapy and Emergency Treatment in the same building if any of these services are needed

Before Surgery

To begin the process, you will call the Family Medical Center and set up a pre surgical consultation with Dr. Ruby. Call 684-2228 for that appointment.

Before Surgery, Call JCHC's surgical department (684-6264) if :

You are not sure what time to arrive at JCHC on the day of your procedure.

You experience any changes in your health between your most recent visit to your physician and the day of your procedure, even minor ones like a temperature, cough or a cold.

You suspect that you are pregnant. Anesthesia and medication may be harmful to the developing fetus.

You have a latex allergy, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver failure.

You take medications on a regular basis. Your physician/surgeon may have guidance about which medications you should or should not take on the day of your procedure.

The Day of Surgery

After midnight the day of your surgery

Do not smoke after midnight the day of your surgery.

Do not eat anything (including gum, mints, hard candy), after midnight the day of your surgery. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications and your surgery is likely to be postponed.

Morning of surgery

Take a bath or shower and brush your teeth.

Remove all makeup, jewelry, and contacts. If you must wear contacts, please bring your storage case for use during surgery.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can accommodate a bandage, cast, or other type of dressing where the procedure is being performed.

What to bring with you on the day of your surgery

Bring all insurance cards. It is important for us to have all the current and correct information.

Bring a government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license.

Bring a copy of your consent forms and an Advance Directive if you have one. Your signature will be required in accordance with your particular procedure.

If you take insulin, bring the bottle of insulin and syringes with you.

Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you to JCHC, receive discharge instructions, and drive you home. It is recommended that someone stay with you for the first 24 hours following surgery.

What not to bring to JCHC the day of surgery

Leave all jewelry, cash and valuables at home. We cannot be responsible for their safety.

After Surgery

After your procedure, you will be moved to our fully-equipped recovery room where the Nurse Anesthetist, Surgeon and our recovery room nurses will observe you closely as you wake up, and until you are ready to go home. Your doctor will want to reassure your friends/family and give them instructions about your condition. Your friends/family can wait in the comfortable surgical Waiting Room until the staff brings them into the recovery room to be with you.

The time a patient stays in the recovery room will vary depending on the procedure performed and the physician’s instructions, but typically most patients are discharged within approximately 60 minutes after their procedure.

Your surgeon will provide post-operative instructions about diet, rest, exercise, and medications. JCHC surgical nurses will provide you with a written summary of these instructions before you are discharged. We suggest that you pamper yourself for the first 24 hours following your procedure.

If you had anesthesia and/or pain medications, arrange for an adult to remain with you at home for at least 24 hours. Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving an anesthetic, we also recommend that you postpone these activities for 24 hours after discharge:

Driving and operating equipment

Signing important papers

Making significant decisions

Drinking alcoholic beverages

If you have any unexpected problems, please call your doctor. A nurse from JCHC's Surgical Care suite will attempt to call you the next day to check your progress and discuss any questions you may have.

JCHC surgical suite personnel pride themselves on providing quality patient care by taking the time to get to know our patients before surgery, and treating their patients like family. The same friendly faces will be with you continuously throughout your surgical experience.